An illegal immigrant couple dubbed “Bonnie and Clyde” by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allegedly turned strangers’ kindness into a payday, stealing necklaces from elderly victims in a jewelry theft spree that spanned four states.
Rudi Lacatusu, 28, and Mirabela Lacatusu, 26, Romanian nationals accused of targeting victims on Long Island, are in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday.
The two men are suspected of committing at least 14 jewelry thefts in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland, the Department of Homeland Security said, citing local reports.
The stolen necklaces were worth between $2,000 and $3,000 each.
An alleged encounter begins with a seemingly innocent inquiry.
Nassau County police said that on October 5, a 73-year-old woman was standing outside her home in Valley Stream, New York, when a gold Mitsubishi stopped with a man and a woman inside. The female passenger asked how to get to Beijing Wholesale Club.
After the woman offered help, the passenger got out of the car, asked for a hug and put two gold necklaces around her neck, according to detectives.
Soon after, the woman discovered that her gold necklace, worth approximately $2,000, was missing.
Investigators linked the suspects to similar burglaries in Franklin Square and East Meadow. Police said both men face three counts of fourth-degree larceny.
The Department of Homeland Security said Nassau County authorities turned the couple over to ICE after their arrest. Both men entered the United States illegally at an unknown time and location, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
“The ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ illegal immigrant couple from Romania have been charged with grand larceny for allegedly committing more than a dozen jewelry thefts in four states,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.
“Thanks to our local partners in New York, these illegal aliens have been detained by ICE and will be removed from our country.”
Mullin also took aim at Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul, arguing that sanctuary policies put Americans at risk.
“If it’s up to patronage politicians like Governor Kathy Hochul, these criminals will be back on the streets robbing more Americans,” he said.
The Department of Homeland Security used the arrests to once again criticize New York state’s asylum policies, calling the state a “hotbed of illegal alien crime” under Hochul. The Department of Homeland Security also believes these policies have had “catastrophic consequences” outside New York.
Prior to this, ICE conducted “Operation Rotten Apple” from July 27 to August 29.
The Department of Homeland Security said police arrested 2,197 illegal immigrants across New York during the operation, including what the department described as murderers, rapists, child predators, drug dealers and violent attackers.
According to a Nassau County police arrest announcement, the department initially issued appearance notices to the suspects on Oct. 20, bringing them to a Hempstead courtroom. The Department of Homeland Security’s statement Tuesday did not specify when ICE detained them.
The case prompted police to warn residents to be wary of distraction scams targeting seniors, including strangers offering jewelry or gifts, asking to pray together, asking for a change of clothes or asking for help with a flat tire.
Police warn that thieves can remove jewelry directly from the victim’s body while their attention is elsewhere.
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant in parking lots and outside grocery stores and to call 911 to report suspicious activity.
Anyone who has been the victim of a similar theft can contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.